On Tuesday 27 May, Nalanda held an Uposātha evening service in conjunction with the new-moon day of the month Jeṭṭha, marking the beginning of the 2025 Gimhāna Retreat for all Nalanda members and devotees. The evening service featured chanting, meditation and a Dhamma talk by Sis. Nandini Tan. Tracing the origin of Nalanda’s Gimhāna Retreat to 2012, Sis. Nandini reminded us of the purpose of Gimhāna Retreat – a 7-week intensive self-practice programme based on Five Daily Practices.
Read moreThe fifth daily practice during the Gimhāna Retreat is do ground ourselves in evening chanting and reflection of our day. Take time at the end of the day to recollect and reflect on our actions, speech and thoughts throughout the day. The more that we reflect, the clearer we can see our progress and journey.
Read moreHoning wholesome habits would not be complete without efforts to perform acts generosity and kindness towards others as part of our daily practice. Giving (Dāna) can be performed in everyday life, even when we don’t leave out home; donating online, purchasing requisites to be delivered to another, or even a kind word to someone suffering.
Read moreOne of the wholesome habits we can develop is to dedicate time to read Dhamma books and listen to Dhamma talks. Just as how we brush our teeth daily to ensure healthy teeth and gums, and to prevent tooth decay, we nourish our minds with Dhamma daily so that we purify our minds from the stains of defilements.
Read moreDuring the seven-week Gimhāna Retreat, we can undertake the Five Daily Practices to develop new wholesome habits. The first daily practice is morning chanting and making noble aspirations.
Read moreToday is the new-moon Uposatha day of the month Jeṭṭha, which also marks the start of the summer season, Gimhāna. For seven weeks after the Buddha’s Enlightenment, He contemplated on the Dhamma with His perfectly clear faculty of comprehension. At Nalanda, it marks the start of our annual Gimhāna Retreat where we come together to deepen our understanding and practice in the Dhamma.
Read moreOn Saturday 12 April, Serdang Buddhist Association organised a Metta Bhavana Retreat at Nalanda Centre from 9am to 5.30pm. Ven. U Paññāsami, who currently resides in Dhamma Earth, guided the group consisting of 90 participants in cultivating this ennobling quality of loving-kindness. Tranquillity and calm permeated the Centre as participants listened intently to his instructions and put them into practice immediately.
Read moreFrom 14 – 23 February, 30 yogis embarked on ten days of intensive retreat under the guidance of Ven. Gavesi. They learnt to cultivate serenity and insight under the Mahasi tradition with daily teachings by Ven. Gavesi, extended sitting and walking meditation sessions, mindful eating, and group interviews with Venerable.
Read moreFrom 21 to 28 December, Nalanda hosted Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) at Wisdom Park for a meditation retreat conducted by the famed Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso. It was Venerable’s maiden visit to Wisdom Park and he expressed his joy at the growth of Nalanda’s educational mission and community.
Read moreJust this morning, we sent off Ven. Luang Por Viradhammo and 34 yogis after the completion of the Meditation Retreat organised by Buddhadhamma Foundation (BDF), Singapore. The 8-day retreat at Wisdom Park was held from Saturday 30 November to Sunday 8 December, and hosted by Nalanda members and volunteers who offered the facilities there as well as their service.
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